This research reports the preparation and characterization of xanthan gum (XG)-based gel electrolytes (GEs) comprising sodium hydroxide salt (NaOH) in deionized water (DW). The three-dimensional gel network has been formed without using any synthetic polymer or cross-linking agents. Ionic conductivity of GEs was evaluated with different parameters, such as salt concentration, gum concentration, temperature and with the passage of time. The maximum ionicconductivity of 74.8 mS cm$^{–1}$ was observed at room temperature even after 55 days for XG-based GE containing 0.625 M NaOH. A small change in pH values for XG-based GEs have been observed with temperature in the range of 10–70°C and at different time span. Thixotropic behaviour of GEs under the application of stress has also been analysed by rheological studies. There was no discernible change in ionic conductivity with temperature and with the passage of time, which make it desirable for their use in different device applications.

Gum tragacanth (GT) based gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs)/hydrogels have been synthesized using deionized water (DW) and NaOH salt, and characterized through ionic conductivity, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), pH, thermal and mechanical studies. Ionic conductivity decrement of liquid and GPEs was observed with the increase of temperature that contradicts pre-existing theoretical equation, i.e., ${\sigma}$ = ${\sigma}_o$ exp.(-Ea/kT) and maximum ionic conductivity of 8.75 ${\times}$ 10$^{–2}$ S cm$^{–1}$ observed for GPE containing 0.625 M NaOH salt at 30°C. Effect of temperature on pH has been investigated for different GPEs and the results were also supported by FTIR studies by formation of new and disappearance of old peaks. Thermogravimetric analysis studies involved the measurements of $T_g$ for GPEs with the incorporation of different concentrations of NaOH salt, supported by DTG thermograms. Viscoelastic behaviour of GPEs with and without salt have been described by rheological studies at 30°C. In spite of that, time-dependent high structure recovery ratio pointed out the sol to gel transition in GPEs after the removal of applied shear rate. Due to high ion conducting, thermally and mechanically strengthened GPEs-based materials may make them applicable for their use in different device applications.